Cavalry Saber Drill; France, c. 1900

Toward the end of the 19th century, saber instruction for the French cavalry reflected the fact that the fencer would be on horseback, not on the ground. Accordingly, un-mounted drill was conducted with the fencer in a—literally!—”riding horse” stance, with the left hand held in front of his belly to reflect his hold on the reins.

While the vantage point this photograph was taken from makes it difficult to tell, the engagement of the fencers is not from a frontal position, but diagonally!